Barrel drier



Dec. 20, 1938. J. w. LEONARD ETI/A1.v 2,140,841

BARREL DRIER Filed MaICh 18, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet l /7'4L l df/@ y 2%.]

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.fissi M a Dec. 20, 1938. J w LEONARD ET AL 2,140,841

BARREL DRIER Filed March 18, 1958 5 sheets-shea 2 haag 20, 1938. J. w.LEONARD ET AL 2,140,841

BARREL DR IER Filed Maron le, 1958 5 shams-sheet s Muff/@ 22mm-nk.

Dec- 20, 1938 J. w. LEONARD E? Ax. 2,140,841

BARREL DRIE-R Filed March 18, 1938 5 SheefLS-Sheel 4V Dec, 2o, i938. y

BARREL DRIER Filed March 18, 1938 J. W. LEONARD ET AL 5 Sheets-Sheet 5Patented Dec. 20, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BARREL DRIERApplication March 18, 1938, Serial No. 196,588

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in means and methods for dryingout the shell or body of a barrel after the staves have been assembled,and prior to the charring of the barrel.

In the manufacture of barrels, particularly those for holding liquids,stave stock of proper length is arcuately cut to conform in crosssection to the diametrical cross section of the barrel. Stave blanks soformed are tapered from the middle toward both ends in such manner thatwhen a barrel is formed therefrom it will have the desired end andmid-diameters and longitudinal curvature.

These staves, in proper number to form a barrel shell, are assembled andthe staves temporarily but solidly secured at one end by a heavy ironring, with the opposite ends of the staves flaring apart, these flaringends are then slightly drawn inward and a light ring placed thereon andthe shell is thoroughly steamed to permit subsequent bending of thestaves. After steaming, the ilared ends of the staves are drawn togetherand a second heavy ring placed thereon to solidly hold the stavestogether, and form the barrel shell. These shells are then dried out andthe rings driven clown to tighten the staves. Subsequently the shell ischarred, crozed, and further operations carried out to complete thebarrel.

The present invention relates to a machine by which the drying isaccomplished, and to the method of accomplishing this drying as by theuse of such a machine.

The objects of the invention are:

To provide means for drying barrel shells in a continuous and uniformmanner.

To provide, in connection with the drying means, means for conservingthe drying heat and steadying the shells during drying, and means fordisplacing such conserving and steadying means to release the shellssuccessively for removal;

To provide means for ejecting the shells successively and automaticallyafter their release; and,

To provide means for coordinating the action of the variousinstrumentalities used, and to improve the design and construction ofthe device as a whole, and of the details thereof.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects are accomplished andthe method of their accomplishment will readily be understood from thefollowing specication on reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the machine with the overhead walkway and otheroverhead construction largely omitted.

Fig. 2 is a corresponding front elevation with the barrels in place fordrying.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation taken as on the line III-III of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevation of the ejector valve looking in thedirection of the arrow IV in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken on the line V-V of Fig. 3 looking inthe opposite direction from that of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional elevation taken as on the line VI--VI ofFig. l, and

Fig. 7 is a plan view taken as on the line VII- VII of Fig. 6 with thebarrel removed.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view showing the ejector mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicatedby numerals:

I is the floor level of the room in which the device is placed, and II,a pit below this floor level, this pit being shown in Fig. 1 as circularin plan with the exception that a portion II--A is enlarged to receivecertain mechanism. I2 is the floor of this pit and I3 a rail disposedalong a circular path to form a` trackway concentric with the centerpost I4.

Disposed in the pit, is a carrier or turntable, which includes a hub lrotatably disposed around the post I4 and plates I6 integral with orsecured to the hub as by welding. Disposed between the plates I6 andintegrally secured thereto are radial arms I'I, each of these armspreferably being made up of a pair of channel irons shown disposed withtheir flanges facing. Adjacent their outer ends the arms I'I rest on apair of channel irons I8, I9, disposed with their webs facing and spacedapart to receive therebetween wheels 20. The wheels are journalled as onpins 2I which extend through the webs of the channels and are securedagainst longitudinal displacement by keys or pins 22. Preferably thewheels 20 are provided with hubs 23, adapted to abut against the webs ofthe channels I8, I9. The channels I8, I9, preferably are curved each toform a continuous circular beam concentric with the post I4, and aresecured to the under side of the beams I1 as by welding on in any usualor desired manner. The beams I'I preferably extend beyond the channelsI8, I9, and are secured to peripheral struts 24 which may be straightbetween the beams Il. 25 are similar struts, spaced preferably at thesame distance radially inward from the beam I 8, that the struts 24 areoutward from the beam I9. 26 are floor plates, preferably of metal,which are secured on the beams I1 and the struts 24 and 25, to form afloor for the carrier.

30 are posts, preferably each made up of a pair of channel irons havingtheir flanges facing, which posts each respectively rest on and extendupward from a beam I1 adjacent the inner edges of the oor plates 26, theposts preferably being integrally securedto'thebeams I1 as by Welding.

3l are heaters or furnaces, each resting on a floor plate 26, eachheater preferably having a heavy base 32 built of insulating refractorymaterial, and an upper annular section 33, also of refractory material.Thecentral opening 3'4 in the annular section is preferably-of invertedfrusto-conical form, with HVan .inwardly Ikprojecting annular ledge 35at the bottom. 36 is an opening extending radially inward from one sideof the heater, this openingforming Ya combustion chamber lying along the--top of A.the .base 32. The outer end of this openingisclosed byblocking 31 disposed around burners to -behereinafter mentioned.

49 are angle iron supports -whichare secured to the posts `3l] .as lbyweldingVand rwhich supports each extendfrom one post vto the next. 4I

,are struts secured to the door plates 26,-.as by welding, and extendingupward therefrom. .Each pair of these struts is -capped .by an .-angleiron 42 corresponding to the support 4.0 and integrally secured tothestruts. 43 are .barrelsupport bars, a pair of these bars zresting on-the -supports 4.9 and 42 and .being .rigidly .secured thereto. The bars43 are-slightly above:the topsof theheaters 3I and are spaced .apartsomewhat `more than the top diameter of the central opening34 of theheater so that they are .out of .the direct .-line of the heat arising=therefrom. The .topof .the bars are a trifle higher than -the floorlevel I0, so that barrels :may be slid from theebars tothe iloor Withoutcatching-on'the oor edge.

44 are stop blocks eachvmounted on a-bar 43. Theseblockspreferably-eachcomprise'a flat strap bent substantially into 1Ushape, and vdisposed with the -U ylegs upward, Ythe bottom -45of the Ubeing conformed to encircle:its-barl43. .Thetwo leg :portions are spacedapart and are .adapted to be-clamped together by -a :'bolt-48, lvsuchclamping action also clamping the encircling `portion 45 of the U on'the bar 43. The stops are adjusted'alongthe bars so tthat `they `will-stop and center the barrel shells over the heaters.

56 are covers `adapted to-rest onthe barrel --5I while it is beingheatedand to-'conserve-the heat. Each of these covers preferablyconsistsof arefractory material designated Vby the cover numeral 5I) and a sheet'metal backing52. From the sheet metal backing twolpars ofrigidlysecured U shaped loops 53 extend upward. Each pair'of loops isdisposed over an arm`54, which arm has a limited amount'ofmovement'between the backing 52 'and the top 'of'the'loops 53,thismovement permitting the cover to'adjustablyeseat and rest solidly on thertop of `the barrel when the arms C54 are lowered. The :arms '54 are ;integrally secured .to .and lextend substantially .at right anglesrespectively from the tops .of guide rods 55; each rodiss'lideablylmounted in a pair of brackets 56 .extending laterally fromthe side of a post '36. The'pair of arms 54 over each heater areconnected together'by 'a substantially A shaped crossmem.ber`55,.thelegs of the Albeing rigidly lconnected to lthe 'two arms54. yA

portion.

wheel 56 is journalled on a suitable bolt or pin 51 at the apex of the Amember.

58 is a rail adapted to be engaged by the wheels 56. This rail in planis curved to an arc concentric with the post I4, and lies in the path oftravel of the wheels 56. In elevation it has a central horizontalportion, an approach portion 59, and a run-01T portion 68, the ends ofboth these latter portions dipping below the level of vthe"horizontalportion, the approach end 5S being adapted to engage beneath each wheel56 as such wheel moves into contact with it and "to raise such wheel tothe level of the horizontal Such movement raises the A member 55, andraises the two arms 54 carried thereby into engagement with the top ofthe loops 53, and continuing after such engagement, lifts theIcorresponding cover58-A clear of the top of the barrel, holding theraised cover in such raised position until the wheels 56 pass off therun-off end '60 of the track. 6I are a pair of beams supported by posts62 vlying outside the circle of the carrier and pit, from which beamshangers 63 depend -into supporting engagement with the rail 58 and itsapproaches.

-y65 are a'pair of beamssupported at their opposite ends as by .posts66, 61, which posts rest on diametrically opposite portions of the floor.IIL just outside the circleof the pit II. 68 are boards forming awalkway along the top of the beams 65. 69 are rungs of .a ladder bywhich access may be ,had to .the walkway 68 from the floor. 10 is aladder supported by the beam :65 and depending therebelow adjacent thecenter of thepit. 1I isla hand rail.

12.is a chain belt encircling the beam I9. The

`chain 12 .is driven by suitable gearing 13 from .a .motor .14, themotor preferably being at floor level .and the Vgearing drive preferablyincluding va vertic-allydisposed shaft 15 leading from the vfloorleveldown to thechain level in thepit.

-Each of the Aheaters 3| .is provided with -two burners 8l), adapted toheat acheckerwork-I of refractory material -which is disposed in thecen- ,tralopening 34 of the heater. The burners 80, which are of Wellknown construction, are supplied with fuel through pipes 84 eachindividually controlled by 'a cock 85. Fuel is supplied -to these pipesfrom an annular header 86 through suitable connecting pipes 81 and 88and a T 89, the T also bein-g connected to a usual form of pressureregulating mechanism 90.

The header-86 is supported on the beams I1 and moves with them as theyturn. Fuel is supplied to the header 8'6 through a pipe 9I controlled bya cut-off valve 92. The pipe 9I extends inward and continues upward as avertically `disposed pipe 93 positioned in axial alignment with thecenter post I4. The vertical pipe 93 is rotatably connected and sealedthrough a Sleeve 94 to a stationary pipe 95 which is also verticallydisposed and in alignment with the pipe 93.

96 are supporting members carried by the beams 65 and which support thepipe 95. Pipe 95 is fed with fuel from any suitable source of supply,not shown.

IOIl is a second header which is also supported by the beams I1 andmoves therewith. This header is also connected to the rotatable Verticalpipe 93 by suitable piping Il, provided with a cut-off Valve |82. Inaddition to the burners 80, each heater is provided with a pilot light I03, these lights being fed through pipes I84 from the header |00, andeach of the pipes havin-g an individual control cock |05.

The barrels after drying, are ejected automatically by an ejector havinga head adapted to engage the body of the barrel, this head being carriedon the end of a piston rod I||, which rod extends through a stuffing box||2 into a double ended cylinder H3. |I4 is the piston. In extendedposition the head IIO and rod i I have considerable overhang. The stufngboX I I2 is therefore made of extra length to provide, in connectionwith the piston, for carrying this overhang. The cylinder ||3 issupplied with air through pipes I I5, I i6, the pipe I I5 leading to theouter end of the cylinder and furnishing air to force the piston I|4inward and Withdraw the ejector head H0, and the pipe ||6 furnishing airto the inner end of the cylinder to force the plunger outward and ejectthe barrel from over the heater 33. The pipes I I5, I I6, lead from thecylinder ||3 upward and overhead, preferably along the underside of theWalkway beams |55, in this raised position being clear Aof rotatingparts of the device. The pipes II5, IIB, terminate at a control valvewhich may be suitably supported as by a hanger |I8 from the walkwaybeams 55 or other portion of the overhead structure. |I9 is an air pipeleading from a suitable source of compressed air supply (not shown) tothe control valve ||1. The control valve is a typical form of four-waycock having a chamber |20 into which air is admitted through the pipeIIS, and an oscillatable slide I2I, shiftable by oscillation of a shaft|22. The slide I2I, shown in section in Fig, 5, has an enclosed chamber|23, the top of which is cut away in this view, and is held in place bythe air pressure in the chamber |28. |24 is an exhaust port open to theatmosphere. |25 and |26 are ports to which the pipes H5, H6, arerespectively connected. The shaft |22 extends through to the outside ofthe casing and has a squared end |21 on which is secured a lever |28.The valve I|1 is so po'- sitioned that as each barrel on the carrier inits turn reaches the point where it should be ejected, some one of thewheels 56 contacts the lever |28 and in its forward movement shifts thatlever to the dotted position |28-A. When in the position |28 the slidechamber |23 is positioned over the ports |24 and |26, thus opening theinner end of the cylinder II 4 through the pipe I I8 to the atmosphere.Likewise the port |25 is in direct communication with the air enteringthrough pipe I IS, and through pipe II5 holds the ejector in retractedposition. As the wheel 58 moves the lever |28 to the position IZS-A, itshifts the slide chamber |23 to cover the ports |24 and |25, opening theouter end of the cylinder I|4 through the pipe |I5 to the atmosphere andsupplying air to thhe inner end of the cylinder through the pipe IIB.When the wheel 56 clears the lever |28 a spring I 29 shifts the leverback toinitial position.

In making use of the device, with all the control cocks |05 closed, fuelis turned into the header |80 by opening the pilot valve |02. The cocks|85 are then opened one at a time, and each pilot light in turn as it issupplied with fuel, is lighted. After all the pilot lights have beenlighted, the cocks |05 are individually adjusted to provide an evenpilot iiame in each of the heaters. With all the control cocks 85closed, fuel is turned into the header 86, by opening the main valve 92.Each of the cocks 85 may now be opened in turn and its burner ignited bythe compleinentary pilot flame. With all the burners ignited the pilotvalve |02 is closed, simultaneously cutting oi all the pilot lights, andeach of the main burner cocks is adjusted to provide substantiallyidentical flames from all the burners. Subsequent control of the burnersis accomplished, as an entirety, by opening or closing the main valve92.

In subsequent operation the pilot lights are turned on each evening byopening the pilot valve |02, and the main burners are then cut off byclosing the main valve 92. During the night it is usually foundadvisable to maintain what may be termed an excessive pilot flame tokeep the heaters partially warmed up. On starting up for operation eachmorning the main valve 92 is opened, the pilot lights igniting theburners, after which the pilot valve |02 is closed.

In operation the burners, after ignition, are allowed to heat up therefractory checkerwork 8| until it is brought substantially toincandescence, and the device is ready for barrel drying,

'I'he motor is started and the carrier or turntable set in. motion. Asthe covers 50 approach the rail 58, the inclined approach 59 engageseach wheel 56 successively and raises the covers to the positions 50-A.

As each heater reaches substantially the position 3I-A (Fig. 2) near thecenter of the rail 58, a barrel shell 5|-A (Fig, 8) is placed by hand onthe support bars 43 and pushed back against the stops 44 which serve toposition the shell both laterally' and longitudinally of the bars.Shortly thereafter the run-off incline releases the cover 50 over thisshell and the upper end is closed to conserve heat and steady the shell.During placing of the shell in position, the carrier and the heaterscontinue their movement, so that a second heater, as the heater 3|-B, ismoving into position to receive another shell. 'Ihe loading operation iscontinued until substantially the entire carrier has been loaded. Atthis time, a shell which has been dried by the heaters nears the trackapproach 50 and as further movement continues the roller 56 climbs theapproach raising the cover 50 to the position 50-A and releasing theshell beneath such cover so that the shell may be ejected. During thiscycle, the rollers 56 in succession contact the valve lever |28, andwith each contact air is admitted first to the inner end of the cylinder||3 moving the ejector head outward, and then to the outer endretracting the head. This action is repeated as the first shell placedmoves into alignment with the cylinder, and this shell is ejectedautomatically, furnishing space for an undried shell to be put on, andpermitting the cycle of operations'to continue. l

It will be obvious that the number of heaters on the carrier and thespeed at which the carrier turns should be so regulated that the barrelswill be tho-roughly dried between the time they are placed on thecarrier and removed therefrom and, that these factors must becoordinated to the speed at which assembling and other operations areperformed prior to drying, and finishing operations are carried outsubsequent thereto. If it is found that the barrels are beingunder-dried the burner temperatures are increased by further opening thevalve 92, or if over-dried the temperatures may be reduced by reducingsuch opening until proper treatment is accomplished.

It will be understood that many changes in detail may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and intent of our invention and it is to beunderstood that we do not Wish to limit ourselves to such detail exceptas in any claim that may be set out.

We claim:

1. In a barrel drier, a horizontally disposed circular carrier, meansfor rotating said carrier, a plurality of heaters mounted on saidcarrier for movement therewith, a plurality of burners, at least one foreach of said heaters, an annular header mounted on said carrier, andmovable therewith, pipes from said header each leading to a said burner,each said pipe having a control valve, a vertically disposed supply pipeat the center of rotation of said carrier, a valve controlled, axiallyaligned pipe rotatably coupled and sealed to said supply pipe, andextending outward to said header; a plurality of means mounted on saidcarrier, each adapted to support a barrelshell above a said heater, a'like plurality of barrel-shell covers, each above a said heater, meanseach for engaging said covers, means for successively raising each saidengaging means and cover to permit ejection and replacement of saidbarrel-shells, and means for lowering said engaging means and covers topermit said covers to rest on said barrel shells.

2. In a barrel drier, a rotatable carrier, means for turning saidcarrier, a plurality of heaters mounted on said carrier for movementtherewith, a plurality of burners, at least one for each of saidheaters, an annular header mounted on; said carrier and movabletherewith, pipes from said header each leading to a said burner, eachsaid pipe having a control valve, a vertically disposed supply pipe atthe center of rotation of said carrier, a valve controlled, axiallyaligned pipe rotatably coupled and sealed to said supply pipe, andextending outward to said header; and a plurality of means mounted onsaid carrier, each adapted to support a barrel-shell above a saidheater.

3. In a barrel drier, a horizontally disposed rotatable carrier, meansforrotating said carrier, a plurality of heaters mounted on said carrierfor movementtherewith, a plurality of burners at least one for each ofsaid heaters, and means for supplying fuel to said burners; a pluralityof means each mounted on said carrier and each adapted to support abarrel-shell above a said heater, a like plurality of barrel-shellcovers, means each for loosely supporting a said cover above a saidheater, means for successively raising each said support and cover, topermit removal and replacement of said barrel shells, and for loweringsaid supports and covers to permit said covers to rest on said barrelshells.

4. In a barrel drier, a horizontally supported carrier, means foradvancing said carrier, a plurality of heaters mounted on said carrierfor movement therewith, a plurality of means each mounted on saidcarrier and adapted to support a barrel-shell above a` said heater, alike plurality of barrel-shell covers, each above a said heater, supportmeans each for loosely engaging a said cover, means for successivelyraising each said support and cover, to permit removal and replacementof said barrel-shell, and for lowering said supports and covers topermit said covers each to be supported on a said barrel-shell.

5. In a barrel drier, a carrier, means for advancing said carrier, aplurality of heaters mounted on said carrier for movement therewith, aplurality of means each mounted on said carrier and each adapted tosupport a barrel-shell above a said heater, a like plurality ofbarrel-shell covers, each above a said heater, a plurality of supportseachloosely engaging a said cover, each said support having trackengaging means, a track rigidly supported in the path of said trackengaging means, said track having an inclined approach portion, asubstantially horizontal center portion, and a run-off portion and beingadapted to underrun said track engaging means, and respectively raise,support, and lower said supports and covers successively.

6. Means for drying barrels, including a working iloor, a pit having afloor depressed below said working floor, a center post, a circulartrack concentric with said post carried by said pit floor, a carriercentered on said post, and having supporting wheels running on saidtrack, means for turning said carrier, a plurality of heaters mounted onsaid carrier for movement therewith, the tops of said heaters beingbelow said working floor, a plurality of means each adapted to support abarrel-shell above a said heater, the tops of said support-means beingsubstantially at said working floor level, a like plurality ofbarrel-shell covers, each above a said heater, means for supporting asaid cover, means for successively raising each said support and cover,and for lowering r said support and cover to permit removal andreplacement of barrel-shells, said lowering permitting said covers torest on said barrel-shells.

7. Means for, drying barrels, including a working floor, a pit having afloor depressed below said working floor, a circular track carried bysaid pit floor, a carrier having supporting wheels running on saidtrack, means for turning said carrier, a plurality of heaters mounted onsaid carrier for movement therewith, the tops of said heaters beingbelow said working oor, a plurality of means mounted on said carrier,each adapted to support a barrel-shell above a said heater, the tops ofsaid support-means being substantially at said working floor level, alike plurality of barrel-shell covers, means each for supporting a saidcover above a said heater, means engageable with said supports insuccession, for raising and sustaining said supports and covers, topermit removal and replacement of barrel-shells and for lowering saidsupports to seat said coverson said replaced shells.

8. In a barrel drier a horizontally disposed circular carrier, means forrotating said carrier, a plurality of heaters mounted on said carrierfor movement therewith, a plurality of burners at least one for each ofsaid heaters, a plurality of pilot lights, one for each said heater, anannular header mounted on said carrier, and movable therewith, pipesfrom said header, each leadingV to a said burner, each said pipe havinga control cock, a vertically disposed supply pipe at the center ofrotation of said carrier, an axially aligned pipe, rotatably coupled andsealed to said supply pipe, a continuing pipe extending outward to saidheader, a cut-off valve on said continuing pipe, a second annular headermounted on said carrier, pipes from said second header each leading to asaid pilot light, each said pipe having a control cock, a supply pipeleading from said rotatable pipe to said second header, a cut-ori valveon said latter supply pipe; and a plurality of means mounted on saidcarrier, each adapted to support a barrel-shell above a said heater.

9. In a barrel drier a horizontally disposed circular carrier, means forrotating said carrier, a plurality of heaters mounted on said carrierfor movement therewith, a plurality of barrel-shell supports, each abovea said heater, a plurality of burners at least one for each of saidheaters, a

plurality of pilot lights, one for each said heater, an annular headermounted on said carrier, and movable therewith, pipes from said header,each leading to a said burner, each said pipe having a control cock, avertically disposed supply pipe at the center of rotation of saidcarrier, a continuing axially aligned pipe, rotatably coupled and sealedto said supply pipe, and extending outward to said header, a cut-01Tvalve on said continuing pipe, a second annular header mounted on saidcarrier, pipes from said second header, each leading to a said pilotlight, each said pipe having a control cock, a supply pipe leading fromsaid continuing pipe inward from said cut-01T valve to said secondheader, and a cut-off valve on said latter supply pipe.

10. A barrel drier, including a horizontally disposed circular carrier,means for rotating said carrier, a plurality of heaters mounted on saidcarrier for movement therewith, a plurality of support means mounted onsaid carrier, each adapted to receive and support a barrel-shell above asaid heater` for drying, a like plurality of barrel-shell covers, eachabove a said heater, means each for engaging a said cover, means forsuccessively raising each said engaging means and cover, to permitejection and replenishment of said barrel-shells, means coordinated withsaid cover raising means for ejecting each of said shells in succession,means for replacing each said ejected shell with an undried shell, andmeans for successively lowering said engaging means and covers to permitsaid covers each to rest on a said replaced shell.

ll. A barrel drier, including a horizontally disposed circular carrier,means for rotating said carrier, a plurality of heaters mounted on saidcarrier for movement therewith, a plurality of support means mounted onsaid carrier, each adapted to receive and support a barrel-shell above asaid heater for drying, a like plurality of barrel-shell covers, eachabove a said heater, means eachI for engaging a said cover, means forsuccessively raising each said engaging means and cover, to permitejection and replenishment of said barrel-shells, means coordinated withsaid cover raising means for ejecting each of said shells in succession,means for positioning an undried shell in alignment over the ejectioncleared heater, and means for successively lowering said engaging meansand covers to permit said covers each to rest on a said positionedshell.

12. Means for drying barrels, including a working floor, a pit having afloor depressed below said Working floor, a circular track carried bysaid pit oor, a carrier having supporting wheels running on said track,means for turning said carrier, a plurality of furnaces mounted on saidcarrier for movement therewith, the tops of said furnaces being belowsaid working floor, and a plurality of means mounted on said carriereach adapted to support a barrel shell above a said furnace, the tops ofsaid supporting means being substantially at said working floor level.

13. A barrel drier, including a carrier, means for progressing saidcarrier, a plurality of furnaces mounted on said carrier for movementtherewith, a plurality of support means mounted on said carrier, eachadapted to receive and support a barrel shell above a said furnace fordrying, and horizontally movable means positioned and operable to ejectbarrel shells successively from said supports at a predetermined pointin the cycle of operations, the tops of said supports being above thelevel of the tops of said furnaces whereby horizontal shift of saidshells can be made.

14. A barrel drier, including a carrier, means for progressing saidcarrier, a plurality of furnaces mounted on said carrier for movementtherewith, a plurality of support means mounted on said carrier, eachpositioned and adapted toreceive and support a barrel shell above a saidfurnace for drying, the tops of said supports lying above the tops ofsaid furnaces, horizontally movable means positioned to eject barrelshells successively from said supports at a predetermined point in thecycle of operations, means for operating said ejection means, and meansactuated by carrier movement for initiating said operations as suchfurnaces in succession aline with said ejection means.

JESSE W. LEONARD. WILLARD R. BU'I'IERWORTH, JR. WALKER L. WELLFORD, JR.

